Thread for those of us that are deaf/hard of hearing?

[flamingo40]

I've looked through the health topics and can't find any particular areas for those of us who are deaf or hard of hearing to turn to if we are after advice or just fancy a chat with people who are in the same situation?
I guess I'm asking firstly if I'm missing something or secondly if there isn't an area we can go to would this be something Mumsnet would think about adding?

Having been hard of hearing for years and now a permanent hearing aid wearer I'd love you get help and advice and talk about experiences to other people

It came back

and more agonising.

I don’t like doing hearing aid free days. I rely too much on them and I enjoy watching TV.

So it’s back to watching it on my (admittedly amazing) laptop and headphones.

I wanted to cry. It was actually pulsating and I nearly shouted when I had to pull it out

I have moderate hearing loss at low frequency. So I can hear female voices just fine but male voices much more difficult.
Like @Stormchaser1502 I went to Boots first but then my GP. I was referred to audiology and got two phonak aids which I get on well with up to a point.
I struggle with eczema in my ears and excessive wax. I pay privately for microsuction but it doesn't last long. I use a bit of hydrocortisone cream which works well but I'm afaid of using it all the time. Most of the time my ears are so itchy or sore that I can hardly bear to wear the aids so I end up saving them for visiting DS or Pilates so I can hear them.
It's so frustrating that my hearing can be improved but I can't wear the aids.

I can't help thinking I get excema in my right ear you know from reading on here.
It happens too often now I think to be infections all the time.
3 weeks ago I got otomize again (over the phone, not in person).
And it clears but then it gets like it again. Thank God I've still got some left. One day they're going to say no to me having it I'm sure!

I haven't managed to get hold of audiology to discuss make an appointment to hopefully make my hearing aid louder/better. They didn't answer last week when I rang.
I'm trying to not wear this hearing aid at minute as it's been itching so it hurts when I pull it out so I need to give it time to heal so I've not worn it today at work so that hasn't helped either.
But at least there's been less people in as it's a Saturday so less background noise.
My hearing is starting to get to me and it didn't used to. Today someone saying something to me from across the room (big room) I couldn't really tell. I don't think they realise . Sometimes I think people don't take it seriously. Is it because people can't see it

By not see, I guess I mean not in your face out there

@purpleme12 Otomise is magic!
They won't give it to me though because it contains antibiotic and I don't have infection. DH used to get it for swimmer's ear but they stopped letting him have it.
I wonder if there is a black market for otomise.....

The only time I've been seen in person when I've had these itchy ears/hurty ears when I take my hearing aid out is the very first time and she prescribed otomize. I have had it many times since then but always from a conversation over the phone. I think mine may be swimmer's ear?
They never seem to want to see my ear in person.
But yes I agree it is magic!

Oh gosh, no, people absolutely don't realise. My husband will insist on talking to me when I'm eating, so I can't hear him over the sound of my own munching, so I have to stop eating to listen. I keep telling him but it's like it just doesn't register.

Then there's the woman who said the other day, when we were talking about the kids being loud "You're okay, you can just turn your aids off", and I kind of laughed along with everyone but really wanted to say something. I mean, would you say to someone in a wheelchair who was queueing for something "My feet hurt standing in this queue. It's okay for you, you're sitting down"?! No! Yet a hearing loss is seen as something that can be commented on and joked about by those who don't know what it's like.

Different if I was making the joke, but not very nice when it's someone else saying it. We none of us choose to have this disability.

I am very fortunate to be a Teacher of Deaf Children and Young People, so my workplace is full of people with great deaf awareness and many who sign. It is definitely something I am grateful for.

Hopefully you can get to speak to audiology soon, @purpleme12

Just popping by to give an update following my run in with the rude Boots audiology man!

Ive had a call with my GP today who’s referred me to an nhs audiologist. However he’s concerned that due to my history of allergies and sinus issues that I’ve done damage to my ears through overuse of over the counter decongestants!!

does anyone have any info on this?? Is this reversible?

I've never heard of that. However I have found that GPs generally don't always have a good grasp of anything hearing related so I'd just ignore it and carry on with the audiology appointment when it comes!

I am trying to imagine what damage could be caused and how. A decongestant would help clear a blockage in the eustachian tubes but I've not heard of a decongestant being the cause of hearing loss before. That's not to say they're not! But through my postgraduate training in deaf education, which included causes of hearing loss, decongestant damage was never mentioned!

I wouldn't worry about what the GP has said. Presumably at most they looked in your ear (with an otoscope) which may show if there is a blockage or damage to the ear drum, but beyond that you will need to visit audiology to get any better idea as to your hearing loss and potential reasons for it.

Put what the GP said out of your mind and wait for what audiology say. Leave it to the experts, I say!

Thank you ☺️.
I think he was saying the chronic sinusitis was the deep cause as I left it fester and masked it with decongestants. Which then caused a rebound swelling.
But I too wonder how it can cause hearing loss that’s moderate on a test, and to the point if I can’t lip read, I can’t ‘hear’

Ah, okay, well I wouldn't think it's very common, but I suppose the inner ear could be damaged?

I would definitely wait, anyway. No point speculating when audiology could give you a more accurate idea. Although they haven't been able to establish why I have a hearing loss, so it's not always an exact science!

For those suffering from itchy ears, I have it, too. Ear calm is a bit like the Otomize without the antibiotics. I switched to Canesten ear drops when the Ear calm wasn't working. It worked for a bit but, since I put the aid back in, it's back. I might ask for the Otomize but I have only itchiness, not pain.

It's interesting the attitude from Boots. I had Specsavers refuse to see me as I am under 55. As it happens, Boots were OK, but when my NHS referral came through, they refused to look at their audiogram saying that theirs were better. Sure enough, the NHS one looked completely different - up and down instead of a flat line. Our Local Authority discharged all their elderly patients to Specsavers or Boots but said I am a complex case so I need to stay on their books, which tells me that the NHS is better qualified to treat hearing loss that is not caused by presbycusis.

Hi all!!
OP HERE!!

Wow... I'm so glad you're all finding this thread and helping each other.
I've been having a tough time with my mental health so apologies for disappearing.
Thank you all though for continuing to post and support each other. It means so much to me that my thread has brought you all together xx

OP - lovely to hear from you but so sorry you’re struggling with your MH. So grateful for this thread. So thank you.

I was speaking to a friend last week and we discussed our hearing. She said she’d had a private audiology report done as she was experiencing hearing loss, especially with noises behind her or in a crowded room etc.
The audiologist put a camera in her ear and could see fluid the other side of her drum apparently caused by sinus drainage issues and blocked Eustachian tube.

I’m wondering if this is what I have. I’ve got a call from an audiologist this afternoon as part of a private referral. She will assess on the phone and then make an appointment to see me.

I just want it sorted. It’s so isolating. I’m only 48

I'm another itchy ear sufferer. It can be excruciating. I often end up reaching for the cotton buds which I KNOW is terrible, but it's the only relief I get. So, I'm very interested in Ear Calm. Can you just buy it, or do you need a prescription?

Also - Hi, OP! Lovely to see you, and thank you for this super thread. I know just how debilitating MH issues can be, so sending you lots of good wishes.

I wonder if blockage in the Eustachian Canal due to sinus drainage problems is a cause for my deafness. I sometimes think there is fluid in there.
I also get the extremely itchy ear. Just one ear. It's the same ear with the fluid.
Occasionally I get "Stop you in your tracks" ear pain. Lasts a mere seconds. But is excruciating.
It's really weird as the pain radiates to my elbow- from my ear - ?????
I have been to a consultant who just sent me yo get my hearing checked and I need a hearing aid. Moderate hearing loss.

@QuantumWeatherButterfly yes you get ear calm over the counter

Straysocks - that's a good idea for my uni course. Thanks. Disabled students have offered me some text to speech software, but not a laptop with the ability to run it.

Re the selective hearing - my daughter lost almost all her hearing when she was 3, but I was confused, because she could normally hear "do you want a biscuit". I understand a lot more about it now.

I had an appointment booked for Tuesday to have a near hearing aid mould done which I desperately need.

It’s badly rubbing inside my ear. Had to cancel it cos I have covid

Now gotta wait till November.

I was in the kitchen earlier and my partner who was upstairs in the bathroom came down and said "didn't you hear the postman banging on the front door?" I didn't, and from the kitchen window you can see the front door. I do have a doorbell which isn't that obvious and he didn't ring that. The kettle was on and the washing machine in the utility room was on but the door was closed.

Please can someone recommend an easy to fit loud, obvious looking doorbell to buy.

I dont know if it still happens - my local council provided me with a super loud doorbell and upgraded to telephone ringing bit too

We love our ring doorbell, because it rings the bell, flashes my phone and iPad and buzzes my watch.

I have a ring doorbell.
But I have to be with my phone to hear it on the phone of course! Which I'm not always!